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In today’s episode, we gladly present selections from The Sutta Nipata, reminding us of the need to forsake worldly attachments in order to achieve spiritual liberation and highlighting the deeper meaning behind Buddha’s actions. SECTION 1 [THE SNAKE] “He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, who overcame all this (world of) delusion, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, having seen that all this in the world is false, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, being free from covetousness, (seeing) that all this is false, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, being free from passion, (seeing) that all this is false, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, being free from hatred, (seeing) that all this is false, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He who did not go too fast forward, nor was left behind, being free from folly, (seeing) that all this is false, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He to whom there are no affections whatsoever, whose sins are extirpated from the root, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He to whom there are no (sins) whatsoever originating in fear, which are the causes of coming back to this shore, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin. He to whom there are no (sins) whatsoever originating in desire, which are the causes of binding (men) to existence, that Bhikkhu [monk] leaves this and the further shore, as a snake (quits its) old worn out skin.” SECTION 4 [DISCOURSE TO KASIBHÂRADVÂGA, THE FARMER] “The Blessed One answered: ‘Faith is the seed, penance the rain, understanding my yoke and plough, modesty the pole of the plough, mind the tie, thoughtfulness my ploughshare.’ ‘I am guarded in respect of the body, I am guarded in respect of speech, temperate in food; I make truth to cut away (wild grasses), tenderness is my deliverance.’ ‘Exertion is my faithful companion; carrying (me) to Nirvana he goes without turning back to the place where having gone one does not grieve.’ ‘So this ploughing is ploughed, it bears the fruit of immortality; having ploughed this ploughing one is freed from all pain.’”
